International Flower Delivery - Sending Flowers Overseas is Easier Than You Might Think
By admin | November 21, 2008
In today’s global society, having friends, loved ones and business associates in other countries has become commonplace. Fortunately, new online technologies and innovative international florists make it easier than ever to show you care and celebrate life’s special moments with flowers delivered worldwide.
Flowers are a language understood the world over, but until recently, sending flowers internationally was difficult at best. Language barriers, time zone differences, currency exchange rates, seasonal variations in flower availability, and even differing local customs made flower sending across continents a daunting task. Fortunately, all that has changed, thanks largely to advancements in global telecommunications, the Internet, and international florist networks. Today, international flower delivery is surprisingly easy to most major metropolitan areas of the free world. Some of the countries may even surprise you.
Today’s international florists deliver to more than 140 countries — from Brazil to Thailand and Australia to Turkey — with delivery to most areas normally within just one or two business days. Some of the most popular bouquet destinations include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and other western European nations, but deliveries to Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and the Mideast are growing in popularity, too. Of course, there are a few areas with little or no floral delivery service due to political, economic, or geographic constraints. Some of these more difficult areas include the Congo, Cuba, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria, portions of the former Soviet Union, and any extremely remote or rural areas. As a rule of thumb, however, you can easily send flowers to most cities and suburbs of developed countries in the free world. So, whether for a birthday, get well, anniversary, new baby, promotion, funeral, or almost any occasion, you can send flowers with confidence across continents.
What is the best way to send flowers overseas? Simply order online with your favorite Internet florist, or ask your local florist to forward your order for you. Most florists are linked to other great florists around the world through FTD, Teleflora, Interflora, and similar associations that facilitate reliable worldwide delivery. If you prefer to order flowers online, you’ll find helpful resources at www.flowers-delivery-florists.com/flowers-international/. Other respected international florist sites include ftd.com, teleflora.com, and fleurop.com. Of course, be wary of giving your credit card information to unknown companies in other countries. Stick to recognized florists you know and trust.
What is the best floral gift to send? That depends on the occasion, sentiment, season, and local customs. When it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. So, flower availability varies. Customs vary, too. For example, in some countries white flowers are most appropriate for a funeral. In others, white flowers may be a sign of disrespect. Similarly, in Western Europe and much of the Far East, wrapped flowers are more popular gifts than arranged flowers. How do you navigate these kinds of international issues? It’s actually quite easy, because the florists in each country are experts at what are the best values and most appropriate styles in their locales. Simply allow a little latitude, so they can do what they do best. Some of the better international florists online do this for you, by offering only a few of the best international floral gifts and prices. Each is filled to value by skilled florists in keeping with local styles and availability. So, while specific flower types will vary, your gift is always appropriate for the occasion and area.
What are some other good tips to keep in mind? Order early. While international flower delivery is available next-day or even same-day in many areas, service varies by region, and delays are sometimes unavoidable. If possible, order a few days or even a week in advance. Then, if any question arises, there’s plenty of time to clarify an address or forward additional information. It’s well worth the effort, when you think of how much impact your gift will have. Don’t skimp on price when sending flowers overseas either. It’s a lot less expensive than you might think, but you still want to allow an ample budget for the nicest flowers and best service.
Think of it you; can touch someone’s heart almost anywhere in the world with a beautiful gift of flowers. Just order online or call your local florist. It’s a great way to stay close to people far away. After all, nothing says, “I love you,” “I miss you,” or “You’re special to me” like fresh flowers with your personal message — especial when they’re sent half way around the world.
***
By John E. Williams with special thanks to 1-800-FLORALS florist, providing USA, Canada, and international flowers delivery.
Tags: delivery, florist, flower delivery, flowers, flowers by wire, international, overseas, service, worldwideSpecial Event Flowers
By admin | November 4, 2008
When you are in charge of organizing a “Special Event”, you want to make a good impression. Don’t forget the flowers to make your event memorable. Your local florist offers a wide variety of floral d
Tags: banquet, decor, decoration, floral, florist, florists, flower, hostess, party, special eventBoxed Flower Programs
By admin | October 25, 2008
A current floral industry buzzword is “boxed flower program”. This refers to the practice of selling flowers to the consumer in a box, normally through distribution channels other than the traditional retail florist. Some boxed flowers come directly from growers, some come from order fulfillment centers. In all cases, the flowers are delivered by a freight service such as Fed ex.
Big players in the boxed flower program game are Proflowers, Growers Flowers, Flowers by Martha, and, perhaps surprisingly, FTD.
Traditional florists and the businesses that support them, such as traditional wholesale florists, are rightfully concerned about the competition they are receiving from vendors who sell flowers this way. They are also concerned about the effect these flowers are having on the consumer flower market’s perception of value.
The fear is that if sub-standard quality flowers and floral services are being sold, the overall demand for flowers will fall; that the boxed flower programs are giving flowers in general a bad name. According to an FTD consumer survey, florists believe that consumers who receive boxed flowers are disappointed in the quality, price and service. However, consumers asked the same questions respond overwhelmingly that they are more than satisfied with their flower buying and receiving experience through boxed flower programs.
Perhaps, the florists are responding to good science that shows that the single most important factor in prolonging the eventual vase life of flowers is the cold chain. In other words, flowers kept cold from post-harvest to home will perform best. In boxed flower programs, flowers leave the farm or order fulfillment center via a shipping company that does not have refrigeration. Flowers are generally out of the cold for 24 hours before reaching the recipient. I would challenge florists to consider how many hours their flowers are out of the cold chain before the consumer receives them. Do their flowers sit in buckets in their design room? Do completed arrangements sit in the garage waiting to be delivered? Are their delivery vans, and the delivery vans of their suppliers refrigerated?
It is my assertion that flowers delivered in boxes and flowers delivered by florists have equal chances of good performance, provided everything goes well at each stop along the distribution channel from farm to home. Tremendous effort and pride is taken in the proper care and handling of flowers in the floral industry, however the more hands handling the flowers along the way, the more chance there is for a break in the chain.
There are those who charge that boxed flower retailers are using marketing tactics, which mislead consumers to believe they are ordering flowers from a local florist. Should this be found to be the case, the traditional retail florist would certainly have a right to be angry. Laws of this great country generally support a level playing field. It’s this nuance of the argument that goes unnoticed by many florists. While FTD loudly fights against those unfair marketing tactics, they are not so quick to mention their own boxed flower program. On the surface, FTD appears to be fighting the battle to protect their retail florist members while it seems to me that they are protecting their own interest as a competitor to those very same traditional retail florists who are their customers.
I guess what I’m saying is Game on! Both traditional retail florists and boxed flower programs are going concerns in the flower market. I do not believe they need to exist independently of one another. There are services provided by each that are not provided by the other. Each needs to understand the other and their place in the market, so they can focus their energies growing their businesses.
This article provided by http://www.send-flowers-online.ws
Karen Marinelli is a Floral Industry Professional with nineteen years of experience in the academic, retail, and wholesale sectors of the industry. She believes the common goal should be to sell more flowers to more people, more often.
Tags: boxed, cut, florist, flowers, fresh, ftd, market, sell, send, shop